Effect of tillage on soil properties in a rolling glaciolacustrine landscape

Abstract

Conventional tillage systems (CT), especially tilled summerfallow, have been linked to soil degradation by increasing erosion, reducing soil organic matter, increasing soil compaction and contributing to water pollution. Innovative farming practices, such as zero-till (ZT) are considered to be able to reverse soil degradation. There are concerns, however, about the environmental impact of increased herbicide and fertilizer use. The fate of herbicides and fertilizers may be understood by studying the structural and hydraulic properties of soils. The knowledge of how soil properties are affected by tillage at a landscape scale is essential in comparing ZT to CT systems in a given environment. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of CT and ZT systems on soil properties at a landscape scale and their effect on potential runoff.